The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The National Police Service has rejected claims that Kenya is witnessing a sharp increase in missing children cases, saying public concern has been amplified by social media activity, heightened awareness, and fake online content.
Police Spokesperson Michael Muchiri said although cases involving missing children are still being reported, official police statistics do not indicate any unusual rise in incidents.
He explained that the growing online discussions around the issue are mainly driven by a more informed public and the rapid spread of information through social media platforms.
“We do not have the kind of surge that has been portrayed. Society today is more aware and more conscious, while social media has become a major tool for sharing information and shaping news,” Muchiri stated.
The police spokesperson added that investigations have revealed some videos and images circulating online were either old clips being reshared or content altered using artificial intelligence technology.
According to Muchiri, the spread of such misleading material is creating unnecessary fear and giving Kenyans the impression that the country is facing a major crisis involving missing children.
“Our analysis has shown the presence of AI-generated and fake content. Some of the clips currently circulating are recycled from past incidents. This creates panic and makes people believe there is a national emergency, which is not the reality,” he said.
Muchiri urged the public to stay calm and rely on verified information when discussing cases involving missing children.
“The most important thing is to remain calm, establish the facts, and then determine the best way forward,” he added.
He disclosed that police records show 139 missing children cases have been reported so far this year. In comparison, police documented 754 cases in 2025 and 1,276 cases in 2024.
Of the cases reported this year, 41 are currently before the courts while 52 remain under active investigation by police.
